TBILISI, Georgia  Russia opened a second front of fighting in Georgia on Monday, sending armored vehicles beyond two breakaway provinces and seizing a military base and police stations in the country's west, the Georgian government and a Russian official said.

I think it would be sad, if the US didn’t provide some military support. Georgia, in her willingness to send troops into Iraq, became the third largest coalition force. It would be unfortunate, if the US didn’t return the favor, especially since their homeland is being invaded.

I agree. And that’s where the President’s ability to communicate is vitally important.

He needs to express a love for the Georgian people, as well as the Russian people. He needs to explain that he wouldn’t stand by and watch either of them be killed by neighbor states, and that Georgian territory is sovereign territory.

If Georgia were to invade Russian territory, the U.S. would oppose it. If Russia invades Georgian territory, the U.S. opposes it, and will put an end to it.

There is not reason for or intent of the U.S. to desire entering Russian territory, and it will not do so. But it will put an end to Russian treachery in Georgia.

Russia's move into Georgia must be stopped--and stopped now. The cause of freedom in Europe, and indeed the world depends on it. For if they are not stopped here, Russia will act to place other former Soviet republics and captive nations once again under its domination.

Those now free nations are looking to America as their protector. They know that if Georgia is allowed to be absorbed by Russia, that it will only be a matter of time before a feckless Western Europe will once again stand by and do nothing as they too are swallowed up by an emboldened Russia.

There is much talk that there is not much America can do in this situation. Others say that America does not have a dog in this fight. Both points of view are wrong.

The dog we have in this fight is our own freedom and independence. Russia has been building an anti-American axis with leftist governments like Venezuala and the radical Islamic government of Iran to undercut America's dominance in world affairs.

Russia has also made clear that it will use its control of oil and gas supplies and pipelines to dictate behavior in Europe.

This move by Russia into Georgia not only immediately threatens the freedom of the Georgian people, it also threatens the one major cross-continental European pipeline that is not under Russian control.

It is true that America would ignite a world war were it to precipitously engage Russia militarily in Georgia. It is also true that diplomatic efforts in the United Nations and by the European Union will not accomplish anything to save Georgia.

The typical diplomatic response will not suffice. What is needed is a bold, game-changing step that no one expects.

That step is for President Bush to fly to Tblisi on Air Force One from Beijing and invite Putin to meet with him and Georgian President Saakashvili in Tblisi this week.

With this effort, President Bush will send a clear signal to the former Soviet republics and captive nations that America will stand with them against Russian aggression.

It will also send a strong message to Russia that their old ways of doing business are over.

Would Russia dare attack the President while he is on a peace mission? I think not. I think they would be forced to stop fighting and come to the negotiating table.

The negotiations would be ugly. Georgia would have to give something to placate the Russians so they would not lash out in humiliation. But the paramount goal of preserving Georgia's independence would be obtained.

This could be accomplished without America firing a shot. But it would only work with the Russians knowing a war with America would result if they harmed the President on his peace mission.

Georgia is a test run to see whether the U.S. will put up any meaningful resistance when they invade the Ukraine and Poland. It is also a way to show the former eastern block countries that U.S. support is only rhetorical. We will have a hard time finding allies in this world if we let Russia destroy Georgia.

Yes, because to delve into the past, Clinton would never have won if the Soviet Union had still existed. By that time, the Dems had virtually no credibility in foreign affairs. Yes, and Perot helped Clinton to achieve that magical 43% number.

Now, as events focus America’s attention on the world, the picture of Obama sitting across the table from Putin or even Medvedev sparks a sly smile, underscoring the rather absurd image of a man out of his depth confronting a hardened experienced leader of Russia.

Judo vs Jive. I don’t think America goes for jive.

214
posted on 08/11/2008 10:02:47 AM PDT
by swarthyguy
(Osama Freedom Day: 2500 or so since September 11 2001! That's SIX +years, Dubya.)

Because the anti-war American left is just that...anti-American and much more closely aligned with our enemies than with our own traditional national interests or underlying priniciples. Its as straight forward as that.

You are exactly correct. Nancy, et. al., is enjoying her vacation knowing that she's done her part to bring the US one step closer to being under control of the old Soviet empire.

I blasted the Russian govt in another thread, last Thursday... Elenil took the liberty of twisting my post and saying the following "Logic is my friend but your weakness is a misplaced and illogical hate for the Russian people.

I'm afraid you're right. Putin and Medveded making threats against Poland and the Baltic States today should help to clear everyone's heads about Russia's real ambitions.

If we let this stand and do nothing to help a staunch ally like Georgia then Russia will feel free to exert it's power anywhere it chooses. What do we do when a Nato ally is attacked? They've been leading us around by our noses in Iran for years and now this. How much is Bush willing to take?

221
posted on 08/11/2008 10:07:03 AM PDT
by pgkdan
(Tolerance is the virtue of the man without convictions - G.K. Chesterton)

It will also send a strong message to Russia that their old ways of doing business are over. Would Russia dare attack the President while he is on a peace mission? I think not. I think they would be forced to stop fighting and come to the negotiating table. The negotiations would be ugly. Georgia would have to give something to placate the Russians so they would not lash out in humiliation. But the paramount goal of preserving Georgia's independence would be obtained. This could be accomplished without America firing a shot. But it would only work with the Russians knowing a war with America would result if they harmed the President on his peace mission.

You don't go to war overnight - Understand that - You certainly don't start a world war in such a manner -Furthermore it is Georgia that willingly choose to create this current situation - There can be consequences -

Especially with where Russia standing currently is - Economics and logistics involved as well - That Georgia did this action on their own....with no heads-up given....Is reason for us to pause -

There are ways to support Georgia (and we are) outside of getting in a shooting war......that should be the last resort.

Your "that sounds like a lie to me"....is intellectually childish....This is the big leagues here....Not a game.

I agree. McCain called this one correctly. He looked into Putin's eyes and saw evil.

That said, I'm sure GWB and our intelligence saw something happening, may even be somewhat in on the deal, we'll give you Georgia for Iran. I don't know but Georgia was either very stupid or somehow provoked by Russia or false intelligence to make a dumb move.

Why would Russia move now when we're wrapping up Iraq and not a couple of years ago when we were knee deep in it. They aren't that dumb either. There's a wink and nod in here somewhere.

Here's my Pelican brief take: Remember the attempted assassination of GWB while in Georgia? Coulda been an effort by Georgia leader to blame attack on S. Ossentia separatists to provoke US defense of its actions to take S. Ossentia. Our intelligence found out it was really Georgia that was behind the thrown grenade and GWB is letting Vlad take care of the revenge with a nod toward letting Israel take out Iran. We possibly could've fed Georgia some intelligence to make them move. This move now by Georgia and Russia's readiness to attack just doesn't add up. I think the other Baltic states in NATO are safe.

The Rusisians are moving through Gori as we speak. The final defense of Tiblisi has to be in order.

If Bush could get in their quickly enough...he might could pull it off. Otherise, we already have transport aircraft flying Georgian troops in there and we need to protect them and can perhaps fall back on a plan like that mentioned above in post 173.

Either way, something direct and something audacious and bold in the face of this Russian agreewssion is called for and must be forthcoming...but also something measured and communicative enough to keep as much a lid on this and confined to Georgia...and then those provinces as possible.

227
posted on 08/11/2008 10:10:11 AM PDT
by Jeff Head
(Freedom is not free...never has been, never will be. (www.dragonsfuryseries.com))

Liberals only care about people when it makes them look like altruistic lovers of mankind, or if it is a chance to say something Anti-American. Because being anti-establishment is “cool” and most never grow up.

You people ready to declare "defeat" for freedom (or Bush) every time situations don't go exactly to plan....or aren't all wrapped up with rainbows and butterfly's in 10 minutes.....are to weak-kneed to deal with -

Reality is this is a complex situation (made more complex by Georgia bringing it about).....but this is in no way a defeat for freedom / nor GWB.....

Well, if that is true, good. I will say that Russia says lots of things that turn out to be totally bogus. From reports, I suspect some Russian troops are already on their way from Gori to T’blisi. I would love to be wrong about this.

What Russia has done, is so over the top that I don’t trust them one bit. They clearly intend to take over Georgia and replace it’s leadership. Georgia is a sovereign state and it’s citizens are the only ones who decide who leads them.

I’m sure you agree with a lot of this, so please don’t think I’m railing on you for some reason. I’m not.

The only other alternative without going head to head with Russia would be to establich a flying armada over the pipeline to protect it from destruction, then again, if one of them was to get shot down??????????????? I think we definately need the Turks involved if possible.

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